spoiled

American  

[spoild] / spɔɪld /

adjective

1. (of a person, especially a child) indulged excessively or pampered, with a harmful effect on character.

   Her grandfather is a rough, no-nonsense farmer with little patience for a spoiled kid from the city.

2. (of food) having become bad or unfit for use; tainted, rancid, or soured.

   Eating spoiled fish causes symptoms that closely resemble an allergic reaction.

3. severely damaged or harmed, especially in a way that reduces value, usefulness, excellence, enjoyment, etc.; marred or ruined.

   His new book, Fly Fishing Tips for the Desperate, can help turn a spoiled fishing trip into a successful one.

4. (of a ballot) disqualified by being marked in an improper way or otherwise marred or defaced.

   If you make a mistake on your absentee ballot, return it to the auditor with "spoiled ballot” on the envelope and request a replacement.

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verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of spoil.

Other Word Forms

• unspoiled adjective

Etymology

Origin of spoiled

spoil ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Harry Maguire's special day - following his England recall - was spoiled by his sending off at Vitality Stadium, but it was the performance of the officials that had United fuming.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

There’s no reaching past something sticky or spoiled, no quiet dread lurking in the crisper drawer.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

I am very lucky in that I’m a very good sleeper and the few times in my life when I do experience insomnia, it’s infuriating to me because I am spoiled, basically.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Meyers Taylor fought concussions and even a bout of Covid at Beijing 2022 that spoiled another dream: acting as Team USA’s flag-bearer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

It was as if someone had made a goulash out of spoiled fish, sprinkled it with pungent cheese, and then served it in an unsanitary shoe.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• rotten